Get summaries, questions, answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF and guide of Chapter 13 Waste Management, NBSE Class 9 Environmental Education textbook, which is part of the syllabus of students studying under Nagaland Board. These solutions, however, should only be treated as references and can be modified/changed.
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Summary
Waste management is about controlling and reducing waste and ensuring its safe disposal. Waste is anything we throw away. It can be solid, liquid, or gas. Managing waste is important because it affects the environment and health. People everywhere create waste. This problem is bigger in developing countries due to less technology and fewer people helping.
The goal of waste management is to understand what kind of waste is made and how much. It also aims to find out how waste impacts the environment and suggests ways to handle it. Waste is increasing because of more industries and cities. Proper disposal of waste is necessary for all countries. People need to realize that preventing waste is better than managing it. Reusing and recycling waste can solve many problems but these ideas are still not common.
Proper waste management helps keep people healthy and safe. It prevents diseases and reduces health risks. It stops soil, water, and air from getting dirty. Good waste management protects the environment. It saves natural resources and keeps ecosystems safe. Recycling and proper disposal reduce pollution. Waste management also helps the economy by creating jobs. Recycling and turning waste into energy can make money. Proper waste management ensures a clean future. It follows rules set by local, national, and international laws.
There are different ways to dispose of waste safely. Solid waste includes things like food garbage, construction debris, industrial chemicals, and agricultural waste. Solid waste can be managed by separating it into groups, dumping it in landfills, composting, or burning it. Composting involves letting waste break down naturally to make fertilizer. Burning waste reduces its size and volume. Liquid waste requires drainage systems and treatment before being released. Gaseous waste can be cleaned using scrubbers and electrostatic precipitators.
Reducing, reusing, and recycling are three key methods in waste management. Reducing means using fewer resources. Reusing means using items again for the same purpose. Recycling means turning waste into new products. Reducing waste at the source is the best way to manage it. Recycling conserves energy and reduces pollution. Many materials like steel, aluminum, plastic, paper, and glass can be recycled. Legal rules help manage waste properly. Important laws include the Environment Protection Act, Biomedical Waste Rules, and others.
India has special rules for handling plastics and vehicles. The Basel Convention controls the movement of hazardous waste between countries. India’s constitution encourages protecting the environment. Citizens have a duty to protect forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife. Laws ensure people follow these duties. Understanding and following these laws is necessary for everyone.
Textbook solutions
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. Major ingredient in borosilicate:
(a) Alkali
(b) Silica
(c) Borax
(d) Lead
Answer: (c) Borax
2. Method of reusing the things:
(a) Recycle
(b) Reduce
(c) Reuse
Answer: (c) Reuse
3. When the Environment Protection Act was passed?
(a) 1984
(b) 1989
(c) 1990
(d) 1986
Answer: (d) 1986
4. Which act provides protection and improvement of environment and other connected matters?
(a) Environment Protection Act 1986
(b) The National Environment Tribunal Act 1995
(c) The Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972
(d) None of these
Answer: (a) Environment Protection Act 1986
5. 3R’s of waste management are:
(a) Reproduce, Repair, Reuse
(b) Recycle, Repair, Reuse
(c) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
(d) Recycle, Reuse, Reproduce
Answer: (c) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Very Short Answer Questions
1. What is waste management?
Answer : Waste management is described as the practice of control and reduction of the further generation of wastes and their safe disposal.
2. What is dumping of waste?
Answer : Dumping is an activity of depositing waste in an area. It is considered a common and cheapest method of disposing of waste on land because transport cost is the only major expenditure.
3. What is composting?
Answer : Composting is a method of solid waste disposal that requires time and patience. Through this process, waste is not only disposed of but also converted into fertilizer through natural decomposition.
4. What is incinerator?
Answer : An incinerator is a modern machine used in the process of incineration, which involves burning waste under controlled conditions to reduce it by 90% in weight and volume.
5. Name the major sources of liquid waste.
Answer : The major sources of liquid waste include domestic and industrial discharges, with estimates suggesting that an average person contributes 227 litres of sewage per day from activities like cooking, bathing, washing, and recreation.
6. What is recycling?
Answer : Recycling is a process designed to recover materials instead of throwing them away and making further use of those materials, often involving sorting and processing waste products to serve as new material for new products.
Short Answer Questions
1. What do you understand by waste segregation?
Answer : Waste segregation refers to the process of separating waste into different categories based on their nature. The separation is typically done into biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes. Biodegradable wastes include materials that can be decomposed naturally, such as vegetable and fruit peels, while non-biodegradable wastes consist of materials that cannot be decomposed naturally, like plastics.
2. List different stages of liquid waste disposal.
Answer : Liquid waste disposal involves several stages. Initially, primary treatment occurs when wastewater enters the treatment plant, where solid material or debris is removed using screens or vertical bars. Following this, the wastewater passes through a grit chamber, which functions as a settling tank to separate inorganic and organic matter. The next stage involves sedimentation, where fine organic material settles down and is removed, sometimes aided by methods like coagulation and flocculation for quicker results. Floatation may also be used as an alternative to sedimentation, where air is forced into the wastewater to bring suspended particles to the surface for removal. Subsequently, digestion takes place in an anaerobic tank to convert organic sludge into methane, carbon dioxide, and humus-like material. Finally, dewatering occurs when the digested sludge is placed on sand beds to dry, either through percolation into the sand or evaporation, primarily being more efficient in warm weather.
3. Name the two common devices for gaseous waste disposal.
Answer : The two common devices for gaseous waste disposal are air scrubbers and electrostatic precipitators. Air scrubbers are anti-pollution devices visible as metal pipes used to trap particles from emissions of gaseous waste. Electrostatic precipitators are electric devices that remove suspended impurities like dust, mist, and fumes from the air. Both devices play crucial roles in minimizing air pollution and ensuring the safe disposal of gaseous waste.
4. Name four things that can be recycled
Answer : Four things that can be recycled include steel, aluminium, plastic, and paper. Steel scrap is melted in furnaces to be reused. Aluminium beverage containers are melted and recycled into ingots or sheets. Plastics undergo cleaning, shredding, and melting into pellets for recycling. Paper products like newsprint, office paper, wrapping paper, and cardboard are processed into pulp, filtered, and remade into new paper.
5. What do you mean by reuse of waste? Give example.
Answer : Reuse of waste refers to the practice of using a material again and again for its original purpose. It is another method of waste management where items are sterilized or repurposed instead of being discarded. For instance, cartridges and ribbons used in offices can be reused. Additionally, disposable items during picnics or journeys can be replaced with washable alternatives. Cloth napkins can also be used instead of paper napkins as part of this effort.
6. Name any two legal provisions for waste management.
Answer : Two legal provisions for waste management include the Environment Protection Act of 1986 and the Biomedical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules of 1998. The Environment Protection Act provides for the protection and improvement of the environment and other connected matters. The Biomedical Waste Rules aim to safeguard the public and healthcare workers from risks arising from biomedical waste, applying to individuals who generate, collect, store, transport, treat, or handle such waste in any form.
Long Answer Questions
1. Why do we need waste management?
Answer : Waste management is crucial for several reasons. It helps in preventing the spread of diseases and reduces health hazards, thereby ensuring public health and safety. Improper disposal of waste can contaminate soil, water, and air, leading to serious health issues. Effective waste management also reduces pollution, conserves natural resources, and protects ecosystems, contributing to environmental protection. Economically, waste management can create job opportunities and contribute to the economy through recycling and waste-to-energy processes that generate revenue and reduce costs associated with waste disposal. Furthermore, managing waste properly ensures a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations, promoting sustainability. Finally, proper waste management ensures compliance with local, national, and international regulations, helping avoid legal issues and penalties.
2. Briefly describe the different methods of solid waste disposal.
Answer : Solid waste disposal involves several methods, each suited to different types of waste.
The first method is segregation, which refers to the separation of waste into different categories such as biodegradable and non-biodegradable. Biodegradable wastes include materials like vegetable and fruit peels that can be decomposed naturally, whereas non-biodegradable wastes include materials like plastic that cannot be decomposed naturally.
Another method is dumping, which is the activity of depositing waste in an area. This method has evolved into what is now known as landfill, where solid waste should be spread in thin layers, each layer solidified by a bulldozer before the next is deposited. After every three meters, a layer of clean earth should be added and solidified.
Composting is another method, requiring time and patience, where waste is not only disposed of but also turned into fertilizer through a natural process. The waste has to be segregated so that only compostable materials like paper, wood, and leaves are used. The waste is layered to allow air entry, with a little water added for easy decomposition. After a few days, the pile is covered to facilitate faster decomposition by heat and steam, and after about three weeks, it can be used as manure.
Incineration is another method where waste is burned to reduce its weight and volume by 90%. Modern incinerators are equipped with filters, precipitators, and wet scrubbers to control pollution.
3. Explain the process of composting in detail.
Answer : Composting is described as a natural process that involves the decomposition of organic matter, which results in nutrient-rich compost used to enhance soil quality. In this process, various organic materials such as plant residues, animal manure, food scraps, and other biodegradable waste are gathered and placed in a designated area or container.
These materials are categorized into two types: green materials, which are rich in nitrogen, and brown materials, which are rich in carbon. It is essential to maintain an appropriate balance between these two types to ensure efficient decomposition. The materials are then layered, ensuring proper aeration and moisture levels, because microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes require oxygen and water to break down the organic matter effectively.
Over time, with regular turning or mixing of the pile, the temperature within rises due to microbial activity, accelerating the breakdown process. Once the organic matter has decomposed sufficiently, it transforms into humus-like material known as compost, which can be applied to soil to improve its structure, fertility, and water retention capacity.
4. Give a brief description of liquid waste disposal.
Answer : Liquid waste disposal refers to the systematic management and treatment of wastewater originating from domestic, industrial, and commercial sources. This type of waste typically includes sewage, stormwater runoff, industrial effluents, and other forms of liquid byproducts.
The process begins with the collection of liquid waste through a network of drains, sewers, and pipelines that transport the waste to treatment facilities. At these facilities, the liquid waste undergoes various stages of treatment, starting with preliminary processes such as screening and sedimentation to remove large solids and debris. Following this, primary treatment involves allowing the waste to settle in tanks where heavier particles sink to form sludge while lighter materials float to the surface for removal. Secondary treatment utilizes biological processes where microorganisms consume organic pollutants present in the wastewater.
Advanced or tertiary treatment may also be employed to further purify the water by removing nutrients, pathogens, and any remaining contaminants. After thorough treatment, the resulting effluent is often discharged into natural water bodies or reused for purposes like irrigation, depending on the level of purity achieved. Proper disposal ensures environmental protection and human health safety by preventing pollution of water resources.
5. What is septic tank and what are its uses?
Answer : A septic tank is a method commonly used for treating domestic sewage. It involves the use of a concrete or metal tank equipped with a submerged outlet. In this system, solid waste settles at the bottom while floatable materials rise to the top. A liquid stream flows through the submerged outlet and percolates down into the soil.
The floating matter and settled solids can remain in the tank for about a year or so, during which they decompose anaerobically. Septic tanks are primarily used for the treatment of domestic wastewater, allowing for the decomposition of organic matter and facilitating the safe disposal of effluents into the soil.
6. Explain the methods of gaseous waste disposal.
Answer : Gaseous waste, often in the form of smoke released from factory chimneys and vehicles, poses challenges in terms of safe disposal compared to solid or liquid wastes. Several methods have been developed to minimize the generation of gaseous waste and ensure its proper disposal.
Two common devices utilized for gaseous waste disposal are air scrubbers and electrostatic precipitators. Air scrubbers function by trapping particles from emissions using metal pipes. Pollutants are removed from gas emissions by spraying scrubber liquid directly into the emissions, surrounding the dirty particles, which are then carried into a cylinder where they drop into a contaminated liquid reservoir as the gas cycles upward.
Electrostatic precipitators, on the other hand, are electric devices designed to remove suspended impurities like dust, mist, and fumes from the air. These precipitators work by passing gas through a passage containing discharged electrodes that ionize impurities, charging the suspended particles. Collector electrodes with opposite charges attract these particles, causing them to deposit on the electrode surface, which is periodically washed to remove impurities. Both air scrubbers and electrostatic precipitators play crucial roles in controlling pollution from sources such as cement kilns and steam boilers and are instrumental in recovering sodium compounds in soda and sulphate pulp mills.
7. Give a brief description of various legal provisions of waste management?
Answer : Some important legal provisions include the Environment Protection Act of 1986, which provides for the protection and improvement of the environment and other connected matters. The Biomedical Waste (Management & Handling) Rules of 1998 safeguard the public and healthcare workers from risks arising from biomedical waste. Penalties for these rules are the same as those under the Environment Protection Act of 1986. These rules apply to all persons who generate, collect, receive, store, transport, treat, dispose of, or handle biomedical waste in any form.
Agenda 21, a programme run by the United Nations (UN) related to sustainable development, was revealed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Earth Summit) held in Rio de Janeiro on June 14, 1992. It is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally, and locally by organizations of the UN, governments, and major groups in areas where humans impact the environment.
The Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules of 1999 aim to regulate the manufacture and use of recycled plastics, carry bags, and containers. As per these rules, the thickness of carry bags made of virgin plastics or recycled plastics cannot be less than 20 microns. Carry bags and containers made of virgin plastic are to be in natural shade or white.
The Motor Vehicles Act of 1989 lays down responsibilities for vehicle drivers, including licensing, insurance, and maintenance. The Act empowers central and state governments to make rules as needed.
The Basel Convention, which came into force in 1992, relates to the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal. It aims to protect human health and the environment against adverse effects of the generation, management, transboundary movements, and disposal of hazardous wastes.
Other significant acts include the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1974, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981, the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986, and the National Environment Tribunal Act of 1995. India has enacted more than 200 laws for the protection and improvement of the environment.
Extras
Additional questions and answers
1. Define waste management?
Answer : Waste management is the practice of control and reduction of the further generation of the wastes and their safe disposal. It is also the process in which we deal with the wastes.
53. Discuss the objectives and key features of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
Answer : The objectives and key features of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 are:
(i) This Act provides for the protection and improvement of the environment and other connected matters.
(ii) It takes appropriate steps for the protection and improvement of the human environment.
(iii) The Act lays down procedures to set standards for the emission of environmental pollutants.
(iv) It explains the prohibition and restrictions on the location and operation of industries in different areas.
(v) The Act lays down the procedure for taking samples, serving notice, submitting samples for analysis, and laboratory reports.
Additional MCQs
1. What is waste management?
A. Control reduction
B. Only disposal
C. Only recycling
D. Hazardous handling
Answer: A. Control reduction
70. Saving energy in waste management reduces pressure on:
A. Power resources
B. Landfills
C. Water supply
D. Transport systems
Answer: A. Power resources
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